Venice, Italy - Day 2

We got up at 6:00 this morning because there were a few more things we wanted to see in Venice before we sailed away at noon. We were off the ship by 6:30 with our trusty little map and making our way to Piazza le Roma.

(Outside the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari)

One of the excursions we did not get to take was of the Jewish Ghetto. Venice's Jewish Ghetto is the oldest in the world. In 1516, seven hundred Jews were forced to move to this part of Venice, then an abandoned site of a 14th-century foundry that produced cannons. The word "ghetto," soon used throughout Europe for the neighborhoods of isolated minority groups, originated in Venice: geto is old Venetian dialect for "foundry."


We had hoped to visit the Jewish Museum of Venice, but tours did not start until 10:30. We had to be back on board by 11:30 so there just wasn't time. I have no idea why my eyes were so bugged out in this picture. Chalk it up to getting up too early.


We enjoyed watching Venice wake up. People were walking to work. Children and young people were walking to school. Coffee shops were opening up. We stopped in one for pastries and espresso, but were too involved eating to take any pictures!

We crossed the Rialto Bridge and saw that it was completely empty!


Les said, "Run down there and I'll take your picture."


Almost made it! But some people just want to be camera hogs...


The Rialto Bridge is fascinating. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico the covered ramps carry rows of shops. Most of which were still closed.


We walked through the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari which was completed in 1338.


We weren't allowed to take pictures inside, but this is the church that contained the most disturbing images. The mix of religious, mystical and mythological paintings and sculptures was just too much for me.


The monument below (picture taken from Wikipedia) is to the sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822.) He had originally designed this for the painter Titian, but died before it could be completed. Several of his students completed the sculture and his heart is buried there, although the rest of him is buried in Possagno (north of Venice).


We lightened the mood by taking pictures of gelato! I said it was too early to eat any. Les said it's never too early for gelato!


And we paid 1.50 Euros to use the restroom...


Les found these shoes to be very interesting. We thought they must have been similar to rain boots, but they would be something you could slip your dress shoe into and wear on your boat. Designer galoshes??


And we went back to St. Mark's Square. Les said, "Let's go back to the store with the purses." It was closed. After another 30 minutes of wandering, we went back. The store was open. I touched the beautiful leather and it was as soft as I expected. I knew it was going home with me. My sweetheart made sure of that. When we walked out of the store he gave me a hug and said, "Happy anniversary." Ah... I love that man!


We made it back to the Magic at about 11:15. The Sail Away party on the Lido deck had dozens of people wearing Venetian masks. On our way out we saw the world's largest expedition yacht, the Luna, a 377 footer. It's owned by billionaire, Roman Abramovich, who paid a mere $186 million for it...


I thought we would surely take a different route out of Venice, but we went right back out the Guidecca Canal, amidst all the traffic. We said goodbye to Venice, but we'll be back!